Immigration Based on Disability Allowance

Hi Tokyo,

I don't know for sure, but asking Google it tells me the following,

Exact Financial Requirements for 2026

The financial "proof of means" is tied to the Bulgarian Minimum Monthly Wage. For 2026, this has been set at €620.20.

To be granted your residency, you must show you have this amount available for the duration of your stay. Here is the breakdown of what you need in your Bulgarian bank account:

Stage of Process                Requirement    2026          Minimum Amount    Recommended Buffer

Type D Visa (Entry)       6 Months of Min. Wage                €3,721.20                 €4,500

Residence Permit (Lichna Karta)    12 Months of Min. Wage    €7,442.40    €8,500

[!NOTE]

While the law technically allows the "minimum," immigration officers have become stricter in 2026. Having a buffer (around €8,500) prevents your application from being flagged as "at risk of poverty," which is a common reason for delays.

The Pension Income Requirement

In addition to the savings in your bank account, you must prove your monthly income.

    The Document: You need a "Pension Entitlement Letter" (from the DWP or your private provider).

    The Amount: There is no official "minimum pension amount," but it is widely recommended that your monthly pension is at least equal to the Bulgarian minimum wage (€620.20).

    The Legalization: This letter must be apostilled by the FCDO in the UK and then translated/legalized in Bulgaria.

Summary Checklist for 2026

To move forward as a pensioner, ensure you have these four "pillars" ready:

    The Pension Proof: Apostilled and translated letter confirming your lifelong pension.

    The Bulgarian Bank Account: Containing at least €7,500 (to be safe for the full year). Note: As discussed, Revolut will not work for this specific step.

    The Criminal Record: An ACRO certificate (not DBS), apostilled and translated.

    The Address: A notarized rental contract or property deed in Bulgaria.

From my experience, any large city/town has OK transport links.

I hope this helps.

Carl

Edit - I know this is for a pension, but I can only assume it will be the same for disability payments.

@CarlS1986

Thank you very much - this is very helpful.

@Tokyo99991 I know a guy who got residence based on his (Israeli) disability benefits, although I don't know how much he is paid.

You will need some savings too (thousands of euros, and it's linked to the Bulgarian minimum wage, which is increasing pretty fast).

ATM you can live more or less decently on EUR 800, but not in Sofia or any major city. You will have too little left if you pay more than EUR 200 in rent.

And with this type of residence you will not be allowed to be employed in Bulgaria for the first 5 years (but you can run your own business - I actually do that, although I am allowed employment.

The simple answer to your question is that by basing your residence in Bulgaria on social security payments, you'll receive a residence Permit under Article 24,1,10 of the "Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act".  This means that you aren't permitted to work for a Bulgarian person or legal entity, as it's aimed at people withdrawing from the labour market. If you are looking to work in Bulgaria, full- or part-time, you'll need to apply for a Unified Residence and Work Permit.  The catch there is that it's the employer who is required to arrange this and they're required to prove that they can't find a Bulgarian or EU citizen for the role.

There  are a few "angles" which can be worked but they generally involve quite a bit of expense for accountants, tax and social security payments etc.  If you work part-time illegally or without declaring it, you're liable to be fined, deported, and banned from the EU/Schengen area.

If your disability payments are sufficient to live on then it is pretty plain sailing but you do need to also think about health insurance.  The "standard Foreigner policies" are designed to give you the (very limited) absolutely minimum cover, basically emergency treatment only. Chronic diseases and pre-existing conditions are explicitly excluded.  State hospitals here aren't what you've been used to and private hospitals, while less expensive than those in other countries, don't come cheap.  You'll also need to pay full price for any drugs/medication you need for at least the first 5 years.

@Tokyo99991 I know a guy who got residence based on his (Israeli) disability benefits, although I don't know how much he is paid.
You will need some savings too (thousands of euros, and it's linked to the Bulgarian minimum wage, which is increasing pretty fast).

ATM you can live more or less decently on EUR 800, but not in Sofia or any major city. You will have too little left if you pay more than EUR 200 in rent.

And with this type of residence you will not be allowed to be employed in Bulgaria for the first 5 years (but you can run your own business - I actually do that, although I am allowed employment. - @sogy

I think you mean "I'm not allowed employment". A TCN owner/director of a Bulgarian company who holds a Type D visa is allowed to administer the company but is not permitted to do the work of the company in Bulgaria. The only way around that is if the company employs at least 10 Bulgarians as well.

The OP's best bet is just a standard D visa with sufficient income and an adequate amount of savings; the "part-time work" aspect is likely to be more hassle than it's worth..if it's a sine qua non then the OP might be better advised to look elsewhere for a change of scenery.

@JimJ

I am a British citizen and got my residence before Brexit "was done", so I always could work.

@sogy

Yeah, I conflated you and the OP...my bad!  I assume you've exchanged your residence permit for a new biometric one?  The old one no longer permits employment since 2021.

@JimJ Renewed in 2021, a got permanent residence in 2023!